Adults can also get sore throats, with symptoms including pain, fever, swollen glands, and white pus patches. A doctor can diagnose strep throat using a rapid test or throat culture, and treatment involves antibiotics and rest. Children may experience additional symptoms such as headaches and abdominal discomfort.
Although sore throats are most commonly associated with school-age children, it is possible for adults to have the condition as well. The most common symptoms are pain or soreness in the throat, fever, swollen glands in the neck, and patches of white pus in the back or sides of the throat. In many cases, adults experiencing these symptoms simply think they have a cold or the flu and respond accordingly with rest, warm fluids, vitamins, and over-the-counter pain-relieving and fever-reducing medications. It’s always better to visit a doctor when signs of illness occur than to try to manage it on your own.
Adults who experience two or more of the symptoms described above may have a sore throat, which can be diagnosed by a doctor. Strep in adults can be diagnosed using one of two tests, a throat culture or a rapid test. The rapid test can be completed right in your doctor’s office, but throat culture can take 24 to 48 hours for results. Therefore, the doctor often uses the rapid test first. Adults who receive a negative result are usually instructed to take care of their sore throat with lozenges, sprays, and pain relievers.
Streptococcus is often treated with a course of antibiotics, such as penicillin or a similar drug, which is typically used for ten days. During this period the patient can also treat her sore throat with hot herbal teas with honey, lozenges and lots of rest. Even if symptoms disappear within a few days, it is important for patients to finish the course of antibiotics as prescribed.
There are some differences between sore throats in adults and sore throats in children. Children often experience headaches and discomfort in the abdominal region when they have this disease. They may also feel nauseous and experience vomiting. These symptoms are not usually experienced by adults with strep throat. Symptoms that are shared by both children and adults include sore throat, low-grade fever, swelling in the neck, and white patches at the back of the throat.
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